An educational speaker and author, Ferrer reached out to West Ottawa’s Hispanic parents Monday night and addressed the academic achievement gap that exists between Hispanic students and their white and Asian peers.

“You’re supposed to be learning things so fast, like never before in the United States of America.”

An educational speaker and author, Ferrer reached out to West Ottawa’s Hispanic parents Monday night and addressed the academic achievement gap that exists between Hispanic students and their white and Asian peers.

“Asian students come to the U.S. and win every spelling bee and math competition. Why is it that they outperform Hispanics?”

Part of it can be traced back to parental involvement, she said. In order for American students to compete globally and close that achievement gap, Ferrer said Hispanic parents need to understand the critical role they plan in their students’ academic careers.

“When it comes to your children’s education, you have to sit in the driver’s seat. In this era, no matter how hard you work, if you don’t have a quality education you will not be able to survive.”

Born into poverty in Puerto Rico, Ferrer immigrated to the U.S. in 1990, attained a college education and began raising a family, but there were many barriers in America, and Ferrer did not fully understand the language or culture. She acclimated, however, and as her children grew up, she remained invested in their educations.

“My priority was always education,” Ferrer said. “The only way I was able to navigate the education system with my three kids was by establishing relationships with their teachers.”

Just as important as it is for parents to be involved in what goes on at school, they need to be teachers as well and show their children how to have moral character, be financially literate and well-read.

“The future of this nation depends on how we will educate our children."

Ferrer conducts seminars and gives presentations all over the country. She has authored three educational books and has a bachelor’s degree in math, a master’s in research, assessment and evaluation and a doctorate in leadership.